Impending free agent WLB Thomas Howard (torn ACL) says his knee is "doing absolutely fabulous," and that he's "right on pace" for 2013.
The Bengals' leading tackler in 2011, Howard went down in a Week 2 practice. The Cincinnati Enquirer's Joe Reedy is "very optimistic" Thomas will be back with the Bengals in 2013. Thomas turns 30 in July. Rey Maualuga's likely departure and Vontaze Burfict's probable shift to the middle would leave an opening on the outside for Howard. SLB Manny Lawson is also a free agent.













